Soundgarden – Superunknown

My pressing sounds fantastic. It is a joy to listen to.

I already left my comment on the disappointing mastering of this record. I guess a lot of people reading these reviews maybe interested collecting a good sounding Soundgarden vinyl so thought I’d share my experience.

I recently bought Down On The Upside (Optimal/German press. Please avoid the US pressing). It sounds amazing in of stereo image and dynamic range. I was not a big fan of that album but the mastering for vinyl was the tipping point for me!

Right after listening to that record, it reminded me how badly we need a good mastering of Superunknown. One day, some day…

I got this QRP version. "Made in Canada" sticker on back cover. Very powerful presentation, lots of bass but the vocals and riffs remain well separated. This hits like a massive wall of sound, yet it's still has all the nuances. My only complaint is the drums aren't as present as on my CD.

So I recently purchased the 2023 EU Reissue, and did an A\B comparison with 2014 QRP Pressing.

The 2014 reissue pressed at QRP which was remastered by Ron Mcmaster for vinyl sounds absolutely amazing, people complain about how it sound compressed, forget that this grunge album came out at the peak of the digital era when compression was in everything, it is mixed like that.

QRP has done a tremendous job, its loud with plenty of bottom end, it has that analog sound very warm compared to later reissues, 320 is still the best in of dynamics and is cut low to preserve the separation, where 2014 Reissue is compressed but not in a bad way its a heavy music not Jazz, its one of the best sounding records in my small collection, and i do had the pleasure of listening to 320 AAA cut.

Later US pressing which was pressed using the same metal parts is not done at QRP, but GZ media, it has got some mixed reviews hence the confusion.

I believe I have the newer version (I also owned this version in the past). I believe they have same mastering so I will leave my review here as well.

One of my favorite 90s album.

This re-issue sounds better than what I have been listening to on digital formats. Relative to digital formats (CD and streaming services), the vinyl version has more depth, wider soundstage and better separation.

On its own the mastering is still quite average. Bass boosted, hollow midrange and treble boosted. Dynamic range is okay but could have been much better. It gets quite muddy in loud sections (and there are lot of loud ages on this record).

As a result of the smiley face equalization, bass sounds quite boomy and drum crashes may get harsh at times. It is not one of those records that can be fully enjoyed front to back because of the harshness. I needed a break due to hearing fatigue.

Pinnacle record for Soundgarden of its time. My pressing sounds great. Maybe the pressings have improved over the years? Highly recommended!

This is a fine sounding double LP, turn it up and enjoy it for what it is: a layered, densely produced hard rock classic, one of the greatest albums of the 1990's. Surprised by the number of negative reviews, but is there a version on vinyl that sounds better? It compares favorably to my old CD, not quite as compressed, a bit more clean in the low end, but people seem to be complaining about it sounding muddy, and I suspect that's how it's meant to sound. It's a sludgy soundstage, but drums, bass, guitar and vocals are all clear and discernable, and this pressing is perfectly fine. My copy plays nice and quiet, with no noticeable surface noise. Turn the damn thing up and enjoy it!

Just got it brand new and it has two lps with side one and two. Less than half the album!

I’m seeing a crazy mlx of reviews on this.

Is this not the same cut as this (without the card): https://discogs.librosgratis.biz/release/5783331-Soundgarden-Superunknown

Seems the wax stamps are the same.

However when reading the reviews of the 200g labeled version people are raving about it. As far as I can tell its the same cut with a different sticker (?). Maybe I’m
Wrong.

Anyway - i think i have this one (although my runouts have some extra numbers on them…so maybe mines newer)

My copy has 243349E1 and 1678047 stamped on the runout, along with …LP01-A G-1 noted by this release). Its a US pressing with an identical rear cover.

Anyway, what i have sounds pretty good.

Not a good remaster at all. The sounds is brickwalled and a near masterpiece has been ruined. Sounds harsh and really hard to listen wearing headphones for any length of time. I hope somebody has another pop at this at some point. It deserves better.